One of the county’s top energy users will move toward using Marin Clean Energy’s so-called “deep green” option, meaning its electricity will come from 100 percent renewable sources.

The move by the Marin Municipal Water District — to go into effect July 1, 2017 — will cost the district another $200,000 annually on its electricity bill, but officials say the green outcome is worth the cost.

“We want to reduce our greenhouse gas footprint as much as we can,” said Cynthia Koehler, water board president. “And the cost to be green has been coming down. And we use a lot of energy to pump water up all those hills. We are excited about this.”

The district currently is in Marin Clean Energy’s “light green” program, in which half of the agency’s energy is provided by renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, bioenergy, geothermal and small hydroelectric operations.

By going to the deep green program, the water district will be reducing its greenhouse gas emissions by about 2,800 metric tons a year, based on annual electric energy usage of 19.2 million kilowatt hours. That is equal to greenhouse gas emissions from more than 600 passenger vehicles driven for one year.

The water board asked its staff to look into the issue as it moves to be more energy efficient, Koehler said.

“As one of Marin’s largest electricity users, the impact of MMWD going 100 percent renewable is substantial,” said Dawn Weisz, CEO of the energy authority. “In addition to the greenhouse gas reductions, half of the premium for deep green will be used to build new solar projects in our service area, boosting our local economy and supporting green-collar jobs.” See the story HERE

Editor's Note: Marin Clean Energy simply buys paper "RECS" and tells customers that they are purchasing green energy when in fact there is NO extra green energy being produced. All electrons in the electrical grid are the same. MCE only has a few solar installations and highly paid staff and consultants.

2 comments:

MCE actually limits it's supply of RECS to no more than 3% of its total supply. 97% of the energy is from green electrons. 20 new renewable projects totaling 341 megawatts of new renewables are being built in California for MCE customers. MCE also offers lower rates for its 50% renewable compared to PG&E's 30% renewable. MCE's 100% renewable option is also less expensive than PG&E's 100% renewable option.

Cite your source for your statistics. There is no such thing as a "green electrons" Such nonsense spouted by MCE is exactly why people are upset. Electricity is like water, once it enters the resevoir, it is indistinguishable from its source. The fact is that consultants have crafted deals worth MILLIONS to create this bureaucratic B.S. factory telling people they are buying "green electrons".

About SaveMarinwood.org

Our community is what we make it. Marinwood-Lucas Valley is on the eve of a fateful decision by the Marin County Board of Supervisors to designate our community with 71% of all affordable housing in unincorporated Marin. If built to plan it will swell our community by 25% and add 600-1000 school children to the Dixie School District. Since affordable housing developments pay virtually no taxes, the community will have to pay for the $6 million to $10 million annually estimated to educate these children. Our total budget for the Marinwood CSD is $4.2 million dollars. Clearly it will have a severe impact on our community.

We support a fair allocation of affordable housing in our community that is sensitive to land use, is fiscally responsible, healthy for the families and integrates diversity within our community.

Unfortunately, planners, politicians and political insiders made their plans without us.